Families sought for exchange students

There are many ways to learn a new culture, and Sherry Stilley, of Mitchell, is hoping to help a few families get that chance.

Stilley, who serves as an international exchange coordinator for Education First, one of the oldest and largest foreign exchange student programs in the United States, hopes to place at least two more students with host families for this upcoming school year, which begins Monday, Aug. 23.

Stilley said being a host family is a very rewarding experience and it is an excellent way to change a student’s life and learn about a new culture.

“It’s a great way to share your America with a student from another country,” Stilley said. “The students are all eager to improve their English and learn about the culture.”

Students have their choice of what country to visit; approximately 3,000 each year choose the United States. The students are arriving now through the start of school, another that needs a host family arrived in Mitchell on Saturday.

In her past six years in the position, she has placed 12 students in Mitchell and surrounding communities. The Stilleys have also hosted three students, from Norway, Sweden and Germany. The last student, from Sweden, was especially interested in music and was able to participate in the high school band and travel with them on their trip to Florida.

“She stayed in band throughout the year and made so many friends,” Stilley said. “The students that do the best are the ones that get involved in the most activities.”

Host families need to be able to provide room and board for the students, including three meals a day and a bed of their own. Students come with their own spending money and health insurance.

“They are expected to spend their own money for clothes, toiletries and entertainment,” Stilley said.

Stilley said that if a student has certain interests in music, sports or dancing, for example, she will try to match them up with a host family with some of those same interests.

“I always work hard to place students with a family to make a really good fit,” Stilley said.

Most families stay in touch with these kids for many years.

Stilley recently learned of a host family who was invited over to a wedding in Germany for a student they had hosted 10 years ago.

“Our world is getting smaller every day,” Stilley said. “This is a great way to make friends around the world one family at a time.”

Those interested in being a host family can contact Sherry Stilley at 996-3595 or stillnord@mitchelltelecom.net.

Tags: education first, sherry stilley, news, local